PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Otocanin Zmija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Otocanin Zmija has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Carlos Machado's chin.

Machado
vs
Zmija

180 cm
26
265 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

199 cm
26
265 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Carlos Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Otocanin Zmija!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Peter Branson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machado closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Zmija manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Machado takes one to the chin there.
Machado takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Machado shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machado with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Zmija to score with a decent uppercut.
Zmija dips to his left and cracks Machado with an uppercut!
Machado fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zmija avoids it really well and circles away.
Zmija connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Machado takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Machado misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zmija appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zmija swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zmija throws a combination that misses

and Machado counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Machado is working for a kimura but Zmija is defending it quite comfortably.

Machado is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zmija is just riding it out for now. Machado eventually gives up the hold.
Zmija tries to kick Machado off but Machado keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Zmija wants to improve his position but Machado is controlling well.

Machado is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zmija doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Machado.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machado is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Zmija works his way to full guard. Good work.
Machado advances position into side control!

Machado thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Zmija's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Machado definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zmija is looking for a sweep.

Machado wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Zmija, who protects the arm well.
Machado trying to control the position but Zmija is working away.

Machado is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zmija knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Zmija struggling a bit here.
Machado wants to control but Zmija is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Machado is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zmija knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
A lull in the action here as Machado stalls from top position.

Machado is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zmija has escaped the position, nice work there.
You can see the frustration on Zmija's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Machado thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otocanin Zmija dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Machado moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zmija lands with a right hand.
Zmija lands a nice shot that snaps Machado's head back.
Machado dodges the punch combination from Zmija.
Good exchange - Zmija coming out on top.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Machado.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zmija throws a series of punches but Machado moves out of range.
Zmija has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Machado has a takedown stuffed.
Zmija feints a jab promting Machado to slip. Zmija then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Machado slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zmija lands with an uppercut that bounces Machado off the cage and back into range.
Machado on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Machado drops his hands momentarily and Zmija takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Machado is rocked!
Zmija misses with a jab, cross combination.
Machado tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zmija defends well and Machado ends up having to push Zmija into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Machado. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zmija ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Machado on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Machado takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Oh Machado is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Otocanin Zmija seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown attempt by Machado or perhaps it was just good defense by Zmija, which made it look bad.
Machado seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zmija scores with a jab to the body.
Zmija lands a jab to the nose.
Zmija might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Oooh a lovely combination from Zmija sends Machado down but not out. Zmija dives into side control looking to finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zmija is looking to take a break and control but Machado is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zmija has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Machado gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Machado sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Machado is refusing to be controlled, as Zmija sits in half guard.
Carlos Machado overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Machado looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Zmija is working for a kimura but Machado is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado trying to control from the bottom.
Zmija is controlling the pace.
Zmija wants to pass the guard but Machado is defending well.

Zmija wants to work for an arm triangle but Machado is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Machado is looking to control Zmija's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Machado avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Zmija lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Zmija is working for a submission of some sort.
Machado moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Machado keeping moving, preventing Zmija from controlling successfully.
Zmija wants to stand but Machado is controlling his posture from full guard.

Machado working for a triangle but Zmija defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otocanin Zmija showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Machado throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zmija was covering up waiting for the punch and Machado finishes the takedown easily into guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Zmija holds on and takes a little breather.
Zmija trying to keep a closed guard but Machado is proving a slippery customer.
Machado looking to sit in guard and control but Zmija gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zmija trying to control but Machado is working from the bottom.
Zmija wanted to stand there but Machado had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Machado is on top in guard.

Machado sitting in guard doing not very much at all here. Zmija doesn't need a second invitation though! He's locked up a guillotine and he's squeezing tight! That is tiiiiiiiiight! Machado paying the price for stalling here - he's pushing hard on the arm trying to free himself but it's no use! He's tapped! WOW, quick submission from Zmija - great work!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Otocanin Zmija!
Otocanin Zmija very nearly forgot to thank Highland Clothing amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.